Tarlac State University sealed its first partnership with the Tarlac Masikhay Knights Eagles Club on May 9, 2024, at the Alumni Center in Lucinda Campus.
Through the partnership, 16 indigent students from different year levels of the College of Education will receive a monthly allowance amounting to 1,000 pesos under the Tarlac Masikhay Knights Eagles Club Scholarship Program starting the first semester of academic year 2024-2025 until their board exam review.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes M. Macaraeg thanked the organization for extending help to the students.
“This would mean a lot to the students’ connectivity, transportation, and food allowance. I know that this is just the beginning of our long-term partnership because you would really be of help to our students,” VP Macaraeg said.
Meanwhile, TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco shared his inspirational story from when he was still studying at Tarlac College of Technology (now TSU).
“Mabibilang ko lang sa daliri ko na ako ay nagkaroon ng baon na ulam nung ako ay nag-aaral. Para magkaroon ako ng pamasahe, nanghihiram ako ng tricycle sa kapitbahay para pumasada. Marami mang naging challenges sa buhay ko, naging motibasyon ko ang mga iyon para makapagtapos sa pag-aaral,” Pres. Velasco said.
“Napakapalad ninyo ngayon na libre ang edukasyon at mayroon kayong ganitong klase ng scholarship allowance. Kaya huwag ninyong sayangin because this will be an opportunity for you to really realize your dream,” he added.
Moreover, COED dean Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza and College of Business and Accountancy faculty Prof. Fabian Seguira called upon the students to study hard and to pay forward the blessing of scholarship to other students in the future.
Dean Mendoza and Prof. Seguira are the president and vice president of the Tarlac Masikhay Eagles Club president and vice president, respectively.
Furthermore, Tarlac City Councilor Hon. Necito “Ato” Chua also reminisced about his time as a working student from a young age. According to him, it was always his dream to help students through scholarships as he knows the struggle of providing for oneself.
“I have been a working student during my younger years, where I would wash dishes. Now, I am already 77 and I try to live para mabigyan ko kayo ng scholarship at matulungan kayo nang tuloy-tuloy. That’s my dream and ever since I was in Olongapo – I was there for 26 years; I already have scholars. I am always happy to help, and I will try my best to help more students,” Hon. Chua said.
Afterward, Hon. Chua gave 16,000 pesos to the first batch of scholars from his own pocket.
Meanwhile, first-year BSED Sciences student Geniel Kyla R. Gariando expressed a message of appreciation towards the benefactors on the scholars’ behalf.
“Together with my co-scholars, we are deeply grateful po for the help and opportunity you have given us for the betterment of our education as this will ease our financial worries. Rest assured po that this opportunity will not be wasted,” Gariando said.
To continuously enjoy the scholarship program, the scholars should not have a failing grade. They must have a general weighted average of at least 2.50 or 80%.
At present, both parties are working on adding 50 scholars from different colleges with the assistance of Tarlac 2nd District representative Hon. Christian Tell A. Yap as the major benefactor. (jlmm-OPA)
